The brand new stage production of Helen Forrester’s Twopence To Cross The Mersey is embarking on its first major UK national tour this Autumn. 

Twopence To Cross The Mersey UK Premiere Tour 2022 will open on Tuesday 6 September at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion in Wirral and then go on to tour a further 13 venues nationwide through to mid-November. 

The tour will visit venues in Rhyl, Stockport, Crewe, St Helens, Blackpool, Warrington, Darlington, Halifax, Croydon, Coventry, Bolton, and Southport, before closing in Liverpool. 

The new touring production of Twopence To Cross The Mersey is produced by Rob Fennah and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms and Directed by Gareth Tudor Price. Full cast to be announced.

About the show – Twopence To Cross The Mersey is a stunning period drama set in the early 1930s in the midst of the Great Depression. 

In 1931, Helen’s spendthrift father was declared bankrupt forcing the family to leave behind the nannies, servants, and beautiful middle-class home in the gentler South West of England. With nothing more than the clothes they stood up in, the family of nine took the train to Liverpool where they hoped to rebuild their shattered lives. It came as a terrible shock to find the thriving, wealthy port Helen’s father remembered as a boy, the place his own father made his fortune, had long since gone.

While 12-year-old Helen’s inept parents searched unsuccessfully to find work, she was taken out of school to look after her six younger siblings and the full burden of keeping house fell on Helen’s young shoulders. Having never had to manage a family budget in their previous life, the Forresters found themselves relying on meagre hand-outs from the local parish, charity organisations, and the kindness of strangers.  

At the age of 14, Helen had finally had enough of her miserable existence and so began a bitter fight with her mother and father to attend evening school in an effort to educate herself and make her own way in the world. But Helen’s parents had no intention of releasing their unpaid slave. They had other plans for their selfish daughter. 

Millions of people around the world know Helen Forrester’s life story told through her best-selling volumes of autobiography, Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters Of Liverpool, and Lime Street At Two. 

Helen’s literary achievements were celebrated in 2020 when an iconic Blue Plaque was unveiled at the late author’s family home in Hoylake, a place which featured heavily in her work. 

Playwright and producer Rob Fennah explained: “In 2020 we embarked on a UK Tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool – sister show to Twopence – which was brilliantly received, but we were forced to cancel after just two weeks due to the pandemic. We tried to reschedule but Covid restrictions kept getting the better of us. It was during this period I decided to rework the Twopence To Cross The Mersey script, include some new scenes and give it a fresh look. 

“Helen’s army of loyal readers will be interested to know that, when she was still with us, Helen and I shared many letters and lengthy telephone conversations about her life story. There were some real gems in amongst those conversations which I have now written into the new scenes – fascinating memories of the late author that didn’t find their way into her books.” 

Helen Forrester’s son Robert Bhatia said: “The partnership between playwright Rob Fennah and my mother Helen, and her legacy, has been outstanding. I saw the play during its last tour and the portrayal of my mother was utterly convincing.” 

Co-producer Bill Elms added: “Twopence To Cross The Mersey is one of those very special pieces of theatre which is just a real pleasure and absolute privilege to be part of. Helen Forrester’s books are gritty but so heartwarming at the same time. Her life story really captures audiences and we are incredibly excited to take the play on its very first national UK tour. Theatregoers who may have seen earlier versions can look forward to the new production and set, and we’ll be announcing the cast very soon. For fans who have never experienced the play, this is a chance to really feel Helen’s words brought to life from the page to the stage.” 

Co-producer Lynn McDermott concluded: “This new adaptation of Twopence To Cross The Mersey also features a sizeable chunk from Liverpool Miss, Helen’s second volume of autobiography, so newcomers to Helen’s story will get a complete picture of her early years in Liverpool.” 

This year’s nationwide tour of Twopence To Cross The Mersey will be followed by a tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool in Spring 2023. 

Adapted by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price 

Produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms 

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate 

Website:         www.twopencetocrossthemersey.com 

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/TwopenceThePlay 

LISTING INFORMATION 

HELEN FORRESTER’S  

TWOPENCE TO CROSS THE MERSEY 

FLORAL PAVILION 

Tuesday 6 September – Sunday 11 September 2022 

Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 2JS 

Website:         www.floralpavilion.com 

Box Office:      0151 666 0000 

RHYL PAVILION 

Wednesday 14 September – Friday 17 September 2022 

East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3AQ 

Website:         www.rhylpavilion.co.uk 

Box Office:      01745 330000 

STOCKPORT PLAZA 

Monday 19 September – Tuesday 20 September 2022 

Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP 

Website:         www.stockportplaza.co.uk 

Box Office:      0161 477 7779 

CREWE LYCEUM 

Wednesday 21 September – Saturday 24 September 2022 

Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA 

Website:         www.crewelyceum.co.uk 

Box Office:      0343 310 0050 

ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL 

Tuesday 27 September – Saturday 1 October 2022 

Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ 

Website:         www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com 

Box Office:      01744 756000 

GRAND THEATRE BLACKPOOL 

Tuesday 4 October – Thursday 6 October 2022 

33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT 

Website:         https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/ 

Box Office:      01253 290190 

WARRINGTON PARR HALL 

Saturday 8 October – Sunday 9 October 2022 

Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1BL 

Website:         https://parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on 

Box Office:      01925 442345 

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME 

Tuesday 11 October – Wednesday 12 October 2022 

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR 

Website:         www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 

Box Office:      01325 405405 

HALIFAX VICTORIA 

Thursday 13 October – Friday 14 October 2022 

Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP 

Website:         www.victoriatheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      01422 351158 

CROYDON FAIRFIELD HALLS 

Monday 17 October – Tuesday 18 October 2022 

Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG 

Website:         www.bhlivetickets.co.uk 

Box Office:      0300 500 0595 

COVENTRY ALBANY 

Wednesday 19 October – Friday 21 October 2022 

Albany Road, Coventry, CV5 6JQ 

Website:         www.albanytheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      024 7699 8964 

BOLTON ALBERT HALLS 

Tuesday 25 October – Thursday 27 October 2022 

Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU 

Website:      www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk 

Box Office:      0343 208 0500 

SOUTHPORT ATKINSON 

Tuesday 1 November – Friday 4 November 2022 

Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB 

Website:         www.theatkinson.co.uk 

Box Office:      01704 533333 

EPSTEIN THEATRE LIVERPOOL 

Saturday 5 November – Saturday 12 November 2022 

85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ 

Website:         www.epsteintheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      0844 888 9991 

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Master impressionist Alistair McGowan will embark on a new 18-venue UK tour during Spring 2022, combining his celebrated talents as a comedian and new-found talent as a classical pianist in a unique show.

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show opens on Thursday 31 March in Hexham in the North East, before touring to Barnard Castle, Alnwick, Cheltenham, Ivybridge, Taunton, Cardiff, Blackburn, Selby, Liverpool, Poole, Shanklin (Isle Of Wight), Radlett, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Scarborough, London and Canterbury, before concluding in Tetbury.

Join the BAFTA-winning funnyman as he talks and plays his way through 14 short piano gems in a show that mixes beautiful music with first-rate stand-up comedy, all topped with more than a sprinkling of his trademark impressions.

The tour follows the success of the performer’s debut album, Alistair McGowan: The Piano Album, recorded for Sony Classical. The recording topped the UK Classical Album charts (and reached Number 2 in the Classic FM chart)just two years after he took up the piano.

Alistair McGowan has spent over 30 years making people laugh. Now the impressionist, comedian and actor is bringing his latest passion to life on stages nationwide through The Piano Show, which sees him combining classical music and comedy – a unique pairing that seems to have struck a chord with audiences up and down the country.

The Piano Show (now in its third run) sees Alistair playing a series of short pieces which span the history of the instrument, from the 17^th Century world of Bach via Chopin, Debussy and Satie, to the 21^st Century and works by Philip Glass and Yann Tiersen, the man behind the exquisite score for the film Amelie. The music is interspersed with quirky anecdotes about the composers and some of Alistair’s newest impressions from Monty Don to Amol Rajan, and from Noel Fielding to Michael Mosley.

Alistair explains: “I keep saying it’s two shows for the price of one. And in a way it is, it’s a piano recital but with comedy bits in between. But it’s not what Bill Bailey or Rainer Hersch do, or even what Victor Borge did. I’m not doing funny music. I do bits of comedy and the music is very much there as a counterbalance to it, and I hope the music will move or relax people.”

Growing up in 1970s Evesham, in Worcestershire, music was a key part of the young McGowan’s life. His mother was a talented pianist who was the accompanist for the town’s amateur operatic and dramatic society; his father enjoyed listening to classical music records at home; and elder sister Kay, learned the piano to Grade 8.

Alistair also took piano lessons as a child but admits he “didn’t really get on with it”. And aged nine, the sports-mad youngster swapped piano scales for football practice and the tennis courts.

Still, piano music continued to act as a soundtrack to his life, and regret at having given up the instrument built as Alistair left home for Leeds University.

Alistair added: “Other kids had taken their cassettes of The Smiths or U2, and I had cassettes of Rachmaninov, Grieg and Schumann. At university I met several people who played the piano, and I thought, why don’t I play? They’d tell me their stories of touring round France having played pianos in various bars and I thought – ‘Oh wow, I wish I’d done that!’ Then I went to drama school in London and there were lads there who played the piano well and all the girls, dare I say it, were looking at the likes of Bob Barrett saying, ‘Wow, what a thing to be able to do! It’s so beautiful and soulful!’ – and I was thinking, ‘why did I stop?!’.”

Alistair graduated (in drama) from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1989, and soon threw himself into the comedy circuit, performing live up to eight times a week – appearing at The Comedy Store and the Edinburgh Festival – and providing many of the uncanny voices for satirical smash-hit Spitting Image on ITV.

In his mid-30s, he embarked on his first piano lessons in more than 25 years, saying: “Right, I’m going to finally do this!” But then The Big Impression took off on BBC One, and, over the course of four years, it became one of the BBC’s most successful comedy programmes. With Alistair writing two thirds of the content and acting as script editor, it left precious little time for anything else and the lessons soon fell by the wayside. Alistair won a BAFTA for The Big Impression in 2002. In 2006, Alistair was also nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as the demon dentist in Little Shop of Horrors in the West End (alongside Sheridan Smith).

Alistair continued: “I had to put the piano aside, and I never thought about it again until around six years ago when, finally having fiddled around a bit at home, I met a pianist and teacher who heard me ‘noodling’, as they call it, on a cruise ship who said to me those four important words – ‘It’s never too late’. I thought it was too late as I was almost 50, but that’s when I had the belief instilled in me by this crazy teacher who said, ‘you’ve got a real aptitude for this, so, let’s get on with it’!”

Aptitude is only part of the equation however, with commitment and practice also playing vital roles. And it seems Alistair has thrown himself into playing the piano with the same level of dedication and attention to detail that has characterised the rest of his wide-ranging and highly-successful career.

So, what has been the most challenging part of taking up the piano in middle age? Alistair ponders: “Probably tempering my ambition has been the hardest thing. I wanted to play everything straight away, and you realise it takes a lot of time. Even now, I have to resist learning too quickly because I just want to get on top of pieces that I’ve always loved and play them and make a nice sound.

“Sometimes it’s the flexibility of the fingers that is lacking. And the deep knowledge of music. And not being able to sight read – all things I think you learn, and need to learn – at a very young age. But being able to express yourself, to put the feeling and experience of your whole life into each phrase of the music, and understanding what the composer wants that, at least, comes with age.”

In 2017, Alistair released a record of short works, The Piano Album, which topped the Classical Music Charts and prompted him to start performing in public (with the proviso that there would be mistakes!) with short tours in 2018 and 2019. He was due to take The Piano Show on a national UK-tour in 2020 but dates were put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alistair adds: “I hope I’m a standard bearer for the older generation. We hear an awful lot about the ‘New Generation Artists’. I’ve found in doing these shows and in meeting the audience afterwards, so many of them are a similar age to me and tell me that I’ve inspired them to start playing the piano again. It’s rather wonderful!”

Playing has certainly been an epiphany for the 57-year-old – despite a string of injuries that have arisen from his many hours of practice at both an electronic keyboard and a cherished baby grand piano. But the sore fingers and “pedaller’s knee” fade into the background when he sits down to perform in front of an audience.

Smiling, Alistair concludes: “You just lose yourself completely. Sometimes during the shows, not every night and not with every piece, but at times I can completely forget where I am or that I have an audience. I’m just listening to the notes, listening to the piano, and it’s absolutely hypnotic – and the most mindful thing you can do.

“In a world where we’re all striving to have more of that meditation and to avoid the endless noise of the world, just to listen to one note that you’re playing, and how it moves to the next note, and what the composer was trying to do with that subtle change – it’s a thing of great beauty and great comfort.”

Website:         http://www.highfieldproductions.com/alistair-mcgowan/

LISTING INFORMATION

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN – PIANO SHOW TOUR SPRING 2022

QUEEN’S HALL ARTS CENTRE, HEXHAM

Thursday 31 March 2022 at 7.30pm

1-2 Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LZ

Website:          https://www.queenshall.co.uk/content/queens-hall-arts-centre

Box Office:      01434 652477

THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE

Friday 1 April 2022 at 7.30pm

3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY

Website:          https://thewitham.org.uk/

Box Office:      01833 631107

ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE

Saturday 2 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PQ

Website:          https://www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/

Box Office:      01665 660550

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM (Part of Cheltenham Comedy Festival)

Wednesday 6 April 2022 at 8pm

Parabola Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3AA

Website:    https://cheltenhamcomedy.com/line-up/2022/Alistair-McGowan

Box Office:      01242 572573

WATERMARK THEATRE, IVYBRIDGE

Friday 8 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0SZ

Website:          https://www.ivybridgewatermark.co.uk/

Box Office:      01752 892220

THE BREWHOUSE THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE, TAUNTON

Saturday 9 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Coal Orchard, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JL

Website:          https://www.thebrewhouse.net/

Box Office:      01823 823244

ACAPELA STUDIO, CARDIFF

Wednesday 13 April 2022 at 8pm

Heol Y Pentre, Pentyrch, Cardiff, CF15 9QD

Website:          https://www.acapela.co.uk/

Box Office:      029 2089 0862

DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE, BLACKBURN

Thursday 21 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Knott Street, Darwen, BBC3 3BU

Website:          https://bwdvenues.com/

Box Office:      01254 706006

TOWN HALL, SELBY

Friday 22 April 2022 at 8pm

Selby Town Hall, York Street, Selby YO8 4AJ

Website:          https://www.selbytownhall.co.uk/

Box Office:      01757 708449

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, MUSIC ROOM

Friday 29 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Website:          https://www.liverpoolphil.com/

Box Office:      0151 709 3789

LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE

Thursday 5 May 2022 at 7.30pm

21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG

Website:          https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

Box Office:      01202 280000

SHANKLIN THEATRE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Saturday 7 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Prospect Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6AJ

Website:          https://www.shanklintheatre.com/

Box Office:      01983 868000

RADLETT CENTRE, RADLETT, HERTFORDSHIRE

Sunday 8 May 2022 at 7.30pm

1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL

Website:          https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/

Box Office:      01923 859291

NEW VIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME

Wednesday 11 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0JG

Website:          http://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/

Box Office:      01782 717962

STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH

Sunday 15 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW

Website:          https://www.sjt.uk.com/

Box Office:      01723 370541

CADOGAN HALL, LONDON

Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 7.30pm

5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ

Website:          https://cadoganhall.com/

Box Office:      020 7730 4500

THE GULBENKIAN, CANTERBURY

Wednesday 18 May 2022 at 8pm

University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB

Website:          https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/

Box Office:      01227 769075

TETBURY GOODS SHED ARTS CENTRE

Friday 10 June 2022 at 7.30pm

The Old Station Yard, Cirencester Road, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8EY

Website:          https://shed-arts.co.uk/

Box Office:      01666 505496

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The show entitled ‘Body Work’ is a new collection from the UK-based artist.
Held in collaboration with New Brighton Street Art and Motobüro, the multi-space show opened on Saturday July 3 at Oakland Gallery in the town’s Victoria Quarter and runs until Sunday September 5. 

Featuring new original works including prints, paintings and sculptural pieces, at the centre of the show is a very rare 1968 Lincoln Continental MK3, Cartier Edition, which has been customised by the artist and automotive specialists Motobüro, who oversaw the restoration of the vintage car, which has taken more than 6 months to complete.

In addition to the Lincoln Continental, Body Work also includes a Harris Magnum motorbike, a hand crafted wooden surfboard and lightboxes all featuring INSA’s trademark ‘graffiti fetish’ artwork.

Born in Leeds and a graduate of Goldsmith’s, London, INSA established his art career more than 20 years ago as a graffiti writer. In 2004 he rejected the traditional graffiti style and began painting the instantly recognisable high heel shoe. ‘Graffiti Fetish’ went on to appear on buildings around the world from LA to Lagos, it also appeared on luxury items including designer footwear, clothing and bespoke interiors.

Always keen to push boundaries and innovate further, INSA has gained a huge following for his work globally, and which he has expanded through his recent experiments with social and digital media as well as product collaborations with brands including Nike. His work is held in the V&A permanent collection, and has also been presented at Tate Britain, London.
Between lockdowns in 2020, INSA was invited to Wirral to paint by New Brighton Street Art, a subsidiary of local regeneration company Rockpoint Leisure, who have been using large-scale artworks to drive change within the town. 

Over the course of a week he transformed the three-storey Post Office, Chemists and residential building on Victoria Road into the striking ‘INSA Mansions’ which is his largest UK work to date and is seen as a positive draw for visitors to the neighbourhood. 

Such was his affection for the town that he was keen to return, and despite undergoing the following year-long hiatus of Covid-19, the Body Work show was planned between himself and hosts New Brighton Street Art. 

Speaking about the upcoming show, INSA commented: ‘Maybe it’s lockdown or maybe it’s the fact I’ve mainly been working in the digital/public space for the last few years that for this exhibition I really wanted to make some physically tangible pieces. I wanted to enjoy the craft and hard work of making real things.  To bring together my past commentary on identity, commodification and object fetishism with an appreciation of the material within it. Extracting the material from materialism. As simple as enjoying the wood of the surfboard or the metal of the car- the bodywork of physical labour. 

Robert Jones, Creative Director of New Brighton Street Art added: “We are delighted to have been able to work with INSA on this important and significant show, which brings together some truly innovative and ground-breaking content. It not only cements our collaboration and relationship with one of the leading exponents of contemporary art, but also acknowledges New Brighton’s status as a credible and creative destination.”  

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This included discussions with David Curtis, Director at B&M Waste Services, about developing and building positive relationships with Wirral’s business community, and issues which are facing businesses during 2019, such as the effects of Brexit on the economy.

With roots in Wirral since 1954, B&M Waste Services Ltd has become one of the country’s leading specialists in recycling-led waste management solutions to businesses across the UK.  Since its inception, the family owned and managed company has seen significant growth, employing over 250 people in locations including across the North West, Lancashire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

During the visit the Wirral Chamber of Commerce was taken on a tour of Milner House Recycling Innovation Centre, a unique venue where schools, colleges and businesses alike visit and learn about the very latest innovations in waste management and recycling.

The state of the art centre contains information, activities and equipment as a one stop shop for businesses wanting to improve their approach to waste management, be they a school, hospital, retail outlet, manufacturing outlet, office or other business.

The facility allows those visiting to go on a ‘waste journey’ to understand from start to finish what they can do when working with B&M Waste, in order to reduce their waste costs, and minimise the environmental impact of their waste.

David Curtis, Director at B&M Waste Services “As Patrons of Wirral Chamber we were delighted to welcome Paula and the team for a tour. We’re pleased to have their assistance when it comes to raising awareness of waste reduction and recycling being something everyone has a responsibility to consider. Our Little Litter Pickers education scheme is off to a flying start as we welcome 6 schools over the next few weeks to participate in the programme. We encourage all Liverpool City Region businesses to get in touch and arrange a visit to ensure they’re doing their bit when it comes to protecting the environment with a sustainable waste and recycling strategy.”

Paula Basnett, commented, “B&M Waste Services is a key member of not only Wirral’s but also the Liverpool City Region’s business community, providing important national waste management and recycling-led solutions to a wide range of industry and commercial users.  We were delighted to spend time with David Curtis and his team in touring this facility and learning more about how we can all look for environmental solutions to waste management.”

She added, “As a Chamber Patron, we will look to promote B&M’s services to our membership and wider afield, and importantly, to integrate its important educational journey to our Young Chamber section in linking B&M Waste Services Little Litter Pickers scheme to our schools, colleges and educational organisations.”

B&M Waste Services works with many national large blue chip organisations right through to SME’s, and with its award-winning customer service, hi-tech solutions and ethos of reduction, reuse and recycling, it continues to offer a top class service diverting 100% of waste from landfill in many cases.

B&M Waste Services focus is to work in partnership with customers to offer tailored solutions to waste management, to have minimal environmental impact and maximum cost-efficiencies.

You can find out more about their new innovation centre and education programme here

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The appointment signals a renewed commitment from NYAS to ensure the voices of children and young people in care are heard by key decision-makers in government and the justice system. Ben is the charity’s first Head of Policy and Research and will work closely with NYAS’ nationwide network of advocates and legal specialists, along with young people themselves to promote children’s rights in the UK.

Ben brings a wealth of policy and engagement experience to the role. Prior to joining NYAS he was a Policy Officer for the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and, during his career, has  worked with three police commissioners in a variety of policy-related roles, including policy lead for youth engagement in Warwickshire and head of substance misuse policy in the West Midlands and County Durham. Ben’s passion for driving positive change in the criminal justice system led him at 22 to become the UK’s youngest ever candidate to stand in a Police and Crime Commissioner election, with an agenda focused on preventing crime through evidence-based policy.

Whilst with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Ben led a team in transforming the region’s response to drugs, treating addiction as a health issue first and foremost and ensuring those who were suffering had access to support. He has a Masters of Law with distinction from the University of Warwick, and a first-class History and Politics degree from the University of York.

Commenting on Ben’s appointment, Rita Waters, NYAS Chief Executive said, “We’re enormously excited to have Ben on board. He has an exceptionally strong background in shaping and promoting policy change, and his policies have been praised by Government ministers, cross-party parliamentary groups, national treatment agencies and senior police officers. Ben’s innovative and inclusive research approach will enable NYAS to develop powerful intelligence to influence regulation and legislation in the best interests of vulnerable children and young people.”

Ben, whose new role will see him nurturing close links with a network of influential peer charities and organisations on behalf of NYAS, as well as lobbying decision-makers on a local, regional and national basis, said, “Throughout my career I have been committed to giving a voice to young people when it comes to the creation of policy that will impact upon their lives. During my time working with Police and Crime Commissioners, I wanted to address the fact that young people often had little or no direct influence on how policy was being shaped, despite 18-24-year-olds being the most likely to both perpetrate or be victims of crime.

“My work exposed me to the cycle of crime that vulnerable young people – including those in the care system and care leavers – can fall into as a result of circumstance. Consequently, I became a passionate advocate of crime prevention by addressing the root causes of it and empowering young people to improve their own lives.”

“NYAS will provide me with an opportunity to continue pushing for the active involvement of children and young people when it comes to policy-making, and I look forward to helping safeguard their rights with an organisation that has been at the forefront of children and young person’s advocacy for more than 30 years.”

Alongside it’s lobbying and campaign work NYAS provides a range of services to young people in care and care leavers, including a national advocacy helpline, advocacy for children in care and those in the child protection system, participation programmes, the provision of independent visitors for children in care and representation of children in private family law.

The charity was established in 1989 and is headquartered in Birkenhead, Wirral.

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Wirral Life Awards 2018

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Close to 100 people gathered for the college’s 2017 Apprentice Awards in Monk’s Ferry.

A big winner on the night was Jennifer Corkill, from Stadler, who secured two awards – The Engineering College Development Stage Apprentice and The ‘Ian Yates’ contribution to Engineering Award for her outstanding progression.

Michael Dodd, of Teledyne CML, received The Jim Teasdale Apprentice of the Year award. It came just weeks after being named as a ‘runner up’ in the national Composites UK 2017 Industry Awards.

Meanwhile, the TWI Welder of the Year award was handed to Thomas Jones, from Cammell Laird, with the ECITB Apprentice of the Year award presented to Kurtis Kearns, of Studley Engineering.

A total of 11 awards were handed out on the night:

1. Pre- Apprenticeship Student of the Year – Andrew Casey, Brimark Signs
2. The Engineering College Foundation Stage Award – Jack Bendrey, National Marine
3. The Engineering College Development Stage Apprentice – Jennifer Corkill, Stadler
4. The Engineering College Further Development Stage Apprentice – Steven Butler, Balfour Beatty
5. Cammell Laird Development Stage Apprentice – Dean Scaife
6. Cammell Laird Apprentice of the Year – James Bowler
7. ECITB Apprentice of the Year – Kurtis Kearns, Studley Engineering
8. The Welding Institute Welder of the Year – Thomas Jones, Cammell Laird
9. IMECHE ‘Most Improved’ Apprentice – Zack Kirkman, AMF Engineering
10. The ‘Ian Yates’ contribution to Engineering Award – Jennifer Corkill
11. The ‘Jim Teasdale’ Apprentice of the Year – Michael Dodd, Teledyne CML.

Headline sponsors included Cammell Laird, ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) and The Welding Institute (TWI) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Engineering College CEO Terry Weston said the Annual Apprentice Awards are one of the most enjoyable and important events in the yearly calendar.

“The college has seen an exceptional intake of young engineers and strong progression with existing students this year,” he said. “This awards evening provides an opportunity to recognise the commitment and dedication shown by a range of students. The 2017 format included 11 awards in a bid to recognise each stage of an apprenticeship, as many of our student are with us for a number of years. Their progression is about embracing a journey. For this they need to develop professionalism, skill, knowledge and consistency over a period of time. Our students must show patience and tenacity to succeed.

“We hope the timing of our awards also resonates with industry as the national programme known as ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Week’ gathers pace. We are highly supportive of this industry-led campaign. It involves more than 300 employers and professional bodies from across the engineering community joining universities, schools and individuals in a week-long drive to inspire the next generation of engineers. This work is essential to plugging the major skills gap which not only exists within or Liverpool City Region but the broader engineering sector across the entire UK.

“The Engineering College is fully focused on listening to the demands of the market place. We are working across a range of sectors including construction, nuclear, petrochemical, renewables, oil and gas and the NHS to address their own unique challenges.”

Special appearances were made by Tranmere Rovers FC Chairman Mark Palios, Cammell Laird Operations Director Mike Hill and Engineering College director Jim Teasdale who handed out awards.

The annual event was aptly timed to coincide with ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Week’ – a national campaign that ran from November 6 to 10, designed to raise awareness of the UK’s major skills shortage. Programme organisers estimate around 186,000 new professional engineers will be needed each year through to 2024 to support industry demand.

Cammell Laird Operations Director Mike Hill handed out the Cammell Laird ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award, which he secured himself in 1997. He said: “The team at the Engineering College puts in a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication on a daily basis, adding value to the local community by putting circa 85 young people into full time employment each year.

“I was actually standing up here 20 years ago to the month, receiving this award and in fact was the first person to receive the Cammell Laird ‘Apprentice of the Year’ shield. I can remember the opportunities which were available to me at that time and like any young enthusiastic engineer, I grasped every opportunity that came my way. Amongst others, with similar stories to myself, we put in the hard work and dedication required and now, 20 years on I hold the position of Operations Director.

“It’s hard to grasp the magnitude of the opportunity that is available to us in the engineering sector in the coming years. Cammell Laird is hoping to engage in some huge market opportunities. Albeit there’s a lot of hard work to do to even try to become successful in these markets but the opportunity is very much there.

“This requires the guys here today who are picking up these awards to continue on the path they’re on, with drive, dedication & commitment. If these talented young apprentices can keep working hard it will certainly result in a bright future in the years to come.”

Mr Weston said the awards come at the tail end of another fast-paced and demanding year in which the college retained its footing as one of the best engineering training facilities in the region following a rigorous Ofsted inspection.

“We secured a repeat Grade 2 listing and praised in particular for ‘good progress’ in maintaining high achievement rates with more than three quarters of apprentices completing their programme within the planned timescale – significantly higher than national rates for similar providers,” he said.

“The college received further positive feedback for the rebrand and ‘celebration’ of diversity and equality with a higher proportion of applicants from under-represented groups, such as females. A significant portion of work throughout the last year has also been devoted to the Apprenticeship Levy and helping clients to manage and understand the new legislation.

“However, these are all necessary steps on our mission as the only dedicated engineering skills provider in the region. We provide a range of 20 high skill craft and technician training routes towards engineering qualifications which are not offered elsewhere. Our recently improved facilities include additional classroom space, welding and fabrication bays, heavy lift equipment, a CNC machine shop, an electronic workshop and a whole collection of new hi tech IT based engineering simulation equipment.”

Since setting up almost two decades ago in 1998, the Engineering College has driven turnover to £1.7million employing 38 staff. It has grown apprentice numbers to 330. The college benefit from a strong track record currently working with 70 clients including large private businesses like Cammell Laird, Balfour Beatty and Clarke Energy to SMEs including Sovex and Laker Vent.

For more information contact the Engineering College on Tel. 0151 666 1028, Email  info@theengineeringcollege.co.uk or visit the website www.theengineeringcollege.co.uk

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Amalie and Christian created the channel when they became frustrated that they couldn’t find the kind of content they were looking for their then toddler. Fast forward four years and they now have three full time staff and a talented team of over 20 local creatives working on all elements of the business from design to music and technology.

With a library of videos teaching children everything from numbers, to telling the time and explaining gravity, Toddler Fun Learning aims to create content that both parents and children enjoy. The channel also includes shows such as Gecko’s Real Vehicles which teaches children about important vehicles and the dedicated crew that operate them such as volunteers from the RNLI, or the North West Ambulance service. Christian and Amalie live in West Kirby with their three children.

The new Toddler Fun Learning App has been developed following requests from their audience who wanted to access the content on the go. Rated 5* on the Educational App Store, their App helps parents manage screen time – and avoid potential toddler meltdowns – with the clever Parent Timer function. Creating a safe environment for children to watch it allows parents to set a timer for five minutes up to one hour and when that time is up the Goodbye Song plays, with the characters from the channel singing goodbye and telling the child it’s time to go and play.

Amalie Hughes Co-Founder: “We’re so proud to have hit 185 million views of our content worldwide. What started as an idea when our eldest son Josh was 2 has now turned into a business where we can work with a local network of brilliant people. Being parents ourselves definitely helps guide us – we create content that we know our kids will love watching and a lot of the ideas come from what our kids are interested in. We’ve now created the App as we wanted the ability to download videos to watch on the move but also control how much time they spend watching the content. Kids are clever. They know when something hasn’t finished and it causes meltdowns. No-one wants that, we’ve learnt the hard way with that one, so now other parents don’t have to.”

All of Toddler Fun Learning’s content is made with an educational element and the App is supported by The Educational App Store with a five-star rating. The Toddler Fun Learning app is free to download and includes samples of the Toddler Fun Learning content and the Parental Timer. For £1.99 per month, subscribers get access to the full library of content as well as including new weekly content, the Adventure Mode which allows them to download videos to watch anytime, anywhere. The Toddler Fun Learning app is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.

For more information, please visit Toddler Fun Learning’s videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/Toddlerfunlearning

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